“BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Culinary Arts Management” is the UK Regulated Qualifications Framework’s Level 5 Professional Qualification, specializing in culinary arts and kitchen management.
The qualification allows you to hold the following positions – chef, restaurant manager, bar manager, food and beverage manager in a hotel, purchasing manager in a catering company.
The program was developed in the United Kingdom in 2017, allowing you to get the contemporary education of a future chef or cook technologist, who wants to develop the ability to create excellent food and be a good manager of a catering company.
Acquisition of the program will take 2,3 years or 5 semesters, during which 240 British credit points must be collected (equal to 120 ECTS or 80 Latvian credit points).
As part of the study process, students receive a set of assignments, which are completed individually or in groups, at the end submitting various types of work – reports, presentations, photo or video reports on practical tasks, etc. These assignments form each student’s individual portfolio, proving the expected learning outcomes. Student assessment is performed by both the subject assessor and an independent external verifier from the United Kingdom.
Within the framework of the program, students undertake internships in high-level Latvian or foreign hotels and resorts – Italy, Spain, Greece, Germany, etc. During internships abroad, students receive a monthly stipend (lodging and boarding expenses are covered by the employer). Learn more about Internships and Scholarships. At the end of the program, a research project in the catering sector should be developed.
Tuition fees
The program tuition fee is EUR 3,500 per year for EU citizens and EUR 5,000 per year for non-EU citizens. EU citizens can pay by semester and month.
BTEC programs charge a one-time registration fee of EUR 500 for registration in the Edexcel Online system in the UK. Registration fee must be paid after the signing of the agreement. Admission to the program is free of charge.
BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in CULINARY ARTS MANAGEMENT, code 603/2278/0 (Ofqual Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF) Qualification), is accredited in England, Wales and Northern Ireland until 31.08.2026.
Diploma sample:
BTEC diploma is awarded by Pearson Education Ltd, the largest examination body in the UK and the world, which develops academic (Edexcel) and vocational (BTEC, LCCI) curricula and tests the knowledge and skills acquired through them at more than 25,000 educational establishments in the UK and in more than 100 countries around the world. HOTEL SCHOOL Hotel Management College has been an accredited BTEC education centre since 2012. Find out more.
The advantage of the BTEC program is the possibility to receive a certificate of education even if you don’t fully complete the program. By earning 120 BTEC credit points (possible within 1 year), students can obtain the “BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Hospitality Management”.
In Latvia, BTEC educational programs are considered a non-formal education, because after completing BTEC programs, not Latvian state-recognized educational document, but the UK state-recognized educational document is issued.
Career and progression opportunities for graduates of the program
Graduates of BTEC programs successfully build a career not only in Latvia, but all over the world, because BTEC is an internationally recognized brand that guarantees high-quality education. Therefore, it is highly valued by both foreign employers and universities.
According to surveys conducted by HOTEL SCHOOL, which addressed BTEC graduates, the majority of graduates work in hotels and similar tourist accommodation providers in the European Union, the United Kingdom, the United States, United Arab Emirates, the Pacific Islands and other popular tourist destinations.
HOTEL SCHOOL has a developed network of partner universities, which provide graduates of BTEC programs with the opportunity to continue their studies at leading universities in the UK and Switzerland, entering immediately in the third (last) year of the bachelor’s program.
It is also possible to be admitted to other universities directly or using the Degree Course Finder database (if necessary, ask our Study Department staff how to use it correctly).
Admission requirements
HOTEL SCHOOL examines the profile of potential students, assessing a person’s ability to master the BTEC program. To be eligible, you must meet at least one of the following criteria:
completed general secondary education;
acquired professional or vocational education in the hospitality industry;
work experience in the hospitality industry.
Students who have not previously completed a course of education in English must demonstrate English language proficiency at B2 level in accordance with the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages or present IELTS 5.5 certificate or equivalent.
Read the full admission rules for BTEC 5 programs.
Diploma
Following the successful acquisition of the programme, students receive a diploma recognised by the UK for higher education and a level 5 professional qualification, “BTEC Level 5 Higher National Diploma in Culinary Arts Management”. The advantage of the BTEC programme is the possibility to receive a certificate of education even if you don’t fully complete the programme. By collecting 120 credit scores (possible within 1 year), students can get “BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Culinary Arts Management.”
Opportunities for studies and work
Graduates of the programme can count on the offer of work from HOTEL SCHOOL partners, in Latvia and abroad, as high-skilled chefs are currently the most demanded specialists in the hospitality sector. As one of the opportunities for graduates, we offer 6-12-month internships in U.S. renowned hotel chains (e.g. Hilton, Marriott, Four Seasons, etc.) that will be useful for building an international career. HOTEL SCHOOL has a developed network of partner universities, that provide our graduates with the possibility to continue their studies in Latvia, UK, Switzerland, as well as many other countries, by admitting to the third year of the bachelor’s programme (“Hotel and Restaurant Service, Tourism and Recreation Organisation”).
Our professional training kitchen is a real creativity laboratory! During the sessions, we try a lot of new things, including molecular cuisine techniques. I am excited about the opportunity to work with culinary students because they are not afraid to experiment. At HOTEL SCHOOL we learn traditional and create new masterpieces of culinary art!
"Food is one of the most universal languages! Culinary arts explore specific culinary methods and techniques to present healthy, delicious, unique and aesthetic dishes that are worthy of the quality of the restaurant. Classes in this program often take place outside HOTEL SCHOOL, visiting the best restaurants, exhibitions and chef masterclasses."
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